A ROAD TO NOWHERE

Yesterday I was asked about
My DKA Sepsis experience.
So here it is.....

Travelling along a darkened route,
To heavens gate I found.
Their was no one else around.
Inside I had not died a thousand deaths,
One was sufficient for me
And yet, It wasn't to be.
There wasn't anyone else around,
Except my grandson keeping me,
Tethered to the ground.
There was no wind blowing,
No sun shining down on my weary face.
Just a stark reality I was somewhere,
That was inside the voids of space.
An uncomfortable place,
A place I have no wish to share.
Darkness didn't desend,
It was: Just there, not anywhere.
But everywhere the eyes could perceive,
Yet it wasn't. I had no thought process;
So it's hard to believe I was really their.
With no cold of night, No summer breeze.
Couldn't feel the freshness of the air,
Let alone a sneeze.
Or the summer rain upon my face,
It was as though the world was resetting.
Remembering what it used to be.
Although I didn't notice if it was me out of place,
Two day's it took for me to see,
That heaven and hell wasn't a place for me.
Two day's in coma neither heaven or hell,
Sometimes I wonder if I should die,
Is there a place that I should be?
Somewhere hidden within the voids of space.
All I hear is deafening silence surrounding me,
As I slowly opened my eyes to all that I can see.
No I didn't make it to heaven or hell,
But something in-between.
I lay there somewhere within my dreams,
Not trying to remember, but
No one hears me when my mind starts to scream.





Poetry by Alan J Ripley The PoetBay support member heart!
Read 109 times
Written on 2026-08-09 at 00:19

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Sameen The PoetBay support member heart!
This is heavy and genuinely haunting. The description of the coma as a void without wind, sun, or even a sneeze is chilling, and the detail about your grandson keeping you tethered gives it a tender anchor. The line "heaven and hell wasn't a place for me" carries a strange, hard-won clarity. The poem does repeat the same image of the void several times, which might be intentional, since the whole experience sounds like repetition without resolution. But a little trimming would let the strongest moments hit harder. The ending, where no one hears the mind screaming, is the most honest and unsettling part. It lands because it doesn't try to explain.
2026-08-25


Melinda K Zarate The PoetBay support member heart!
Thank you for sharing this experience with us, Alan. That last line makes me believe it was mostly a terrifying one. I’m so glad you have rejoined the loving!
Sincerely,
Melinda
2026-08-10


Clara Mae Gregory The PoetBay support member heart!
Hello, Alan. I hear you. And feel helpless. I am glad you are still writing and communicating with us. Our Creator knows when that time for you to finally depart will be. Being in a coma like state like what you describe is scary. I hope all that will go away and be replaced with loving vibes coming from everyone. You are loved and I weep for you when I know of the suffering associated with a failing body. I will be very sad when that day comes-- but your wonderful poems will linger on.
You will not be forgotten.

🙏❤️🙏❤️🙏❤️🙏❤️🙏❤️🙏
Praying for a good day today.
Love,
Melanie
2026-08-09


arquious The PoetBay support member heart!
Nothing I can say will make i better for you but for the witness and presence in this season and its challenges. A spark rises as well in the tether that is your grandson. The coma, though, is particularly traumatic to me. Blessings Alan.
2026-08-09